Golf

Dustin Johnson Loses PGA Shot On Disputed Technicality (Video)

Martin Kaymer won the PGA Championship yesterday in a playoff. Good for him. Dustin Johnson lost his chance to participate in that playoff due to a controversial rules violation. Bad for him – and maybe, bad for golf.

Johnson hit an errant shot on the 18th hole that wound up win what was technically a bunker – one of over 1,200 on the course, all considered live – even though this one was so far off the course, fans were walking all over it all week. So Johnson, not realizing he was in a bunker, rested his club on the ground before he hit his shot. Boom: penalty. No playoff. Out of contention.

As this look at the situation shows, there was disgust on both sides – some with the ruling, some with Johnson for not knowing the rules. It’s encapsulated in this quick take from Hank Gola of the New York Daily News – Johnson should have known the rules, which were made readily available to players. But come on…1,200 bunkers?

So congrats to Kaymer. And sorry, Dustin – hopefully you get one of these someday…and know all the course rules while doing it. Video of the mistake itself below (with commentary from a fan who couldn’t believe the ruling), and below that, video of ESPN’s discussion of the controversy.